Analysis of N-n-propylnorapomorphine in plasma and tissue by capillary gas chromatography--electron-capture detection

Capillary gas chromatography combined with electron-capture detection (GC-ECD) was applied to the detection and quantitation of N-n-propylnorapomorphine (NPA) and related compounds in serum and tissue using trifluoroacetyl (TFA) derivatives. The detection limits for NPA using GC-ECD of TFA derivative extend into the subpicogram level, but quantitation in serum was limited to levels of 100 ng/ml due to matrix interferences. The method was applied to the analysis of NPA in rat serum after administration of a moderate dose of the drug and was applied to the detection of NPA in rat brain after the peripheral administration of (-)10,11-methylenedioxy-N-n-propylnoraporphine (MDO-NPA). These results support previous proposals that MDO-NPA is a prodrug of NPA, which acts at cerebral dopamine-receptors.